Christmas bonus for record crowd as Munster see off Leinster in style

Munster 29, Leinster 17: Munster laid down a marker over their Guinness Pro12 title rivals as they saw off old enemies Leinster in style at Thomond Park.

The bonus-point win, as they outscored second-placed Leinster by four tries to two, extended their lead at the top of the Pro12 table to five points and was of further significance given Munster ended a three-game losing streak to their old rivals in front of a record 26,200 crowd.

It also marked a confident return to form as Rassie Erasmus’s players showed their mettle to rebound from a narrow December 17 Champions Cup defeat at Leicester Tigers and finish 2016 unbeaten for the calendar year at Thomond Park.